LO-Oslo, the counterpart of EKA as a capital city labor union, organized on 28 of November, 2017 an International Conference under the title: “Greece - The Forgotten crisis”.

EKA was represented by Christina Theochari, Responsible of International Relations. In the Conference participated representatives of the Norwegian labor unions and of the general public. The initiative is within the framework of the traditional cooperation between the two organizations.

The poster of the conference

Speaking at the Conference

With the President of Plumbers' Association

Meeting with the International Office of the LO- Confederation

The choir of the union sings Theodorakis at the opening of the conference

The Council of Europe - Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

On October the 4th a Group of Experts of the Convention for Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) of the Council of Europe, visited EKA in the framework of the assessment of the implementation of the respective Convention in our country.

The GRETA delegation consisted of experts Ryszard Piotrowicz and Rita Theodorou Superman, the Executive Secretary of the Convention Petya Nestorova and the Administrator Markus Lehner. From EKA participated in the meeting the President George Mylonas, the General Secretary Kostas Koulouris, the Head of International Relations Christina Theochari and the Head of Immigrants’ Office Vania Nedelcheva. In the meeting, EKA presented its activities and experiences in the area of immigrants’ issues and particularly labor trafficking.

At the event participated 21 women from Nigeria, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Cameroon and other countries of Africa and Asia as well as organizations' employees. There was a discussion on labor and social security rights of domestic workers in Greece, the demands and the latest changes in legislation.

In recent years, Greece has been at the center of global interest because of the economic crisis. According to the data economic crisis has forced young scientists to emigrate in search of better conditions and has led tens of thousands of our fellow citizens live at risk poverty.

Since 2013, world opinion has turned her gaze back to Greece, this time because of the refugee crisis. The conflict situations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan have forced millions of fellow citizens to turn to Europe to save their lives. Greece thus becomes the gateway for these people, and particularly the Greek islands near the Turkish coast.

This year alone over 750,000 migrants have arrived in our country, trying to go to the countries of northern and central Europe, but hundreds have drowned in the Aegean Sea. The refugee issue is now properly classified as a "matter of national responsibility" by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, but stressed that “our country should not and will not turn into a storehouse of souls”. The islanders receive huge flows, nevertheless the attitude shown the compassion and solidarity that should characterize us. The same happens in Athens and northern Greece.

The Athens Labour Centre (EKA) condemns the tragic situation in Eidomeni at the borders between Greece and FYROM. It is not possible countries of the European Union, to act against the principles of the European Union and to close their borders, lifting wire fences.

The Athens Labour Centre expresses its sympathy and solidarity with the refugees and welcomes any action in favor of rights and dignity of life of refugees.

After the recent tragedy in Lampeduza, deaths will not stop to happen in the Mediterranean Sea, as the number of immigrants, putting at risk their own lives to reach the countries of Southern Europe, is raising day by day. Thousands of people have lost their lives during the last years, many women and children among them.

Greece, along with the other countries of “the front line”, like Italy, Malta etc, bear a disproportionate burden compared to other European countries, as they’ve become “bin of human souls”.

Just the day after Lampeduza tragedy, three more people drowned in the island of Rhodes. The Coast Guard rescued 90 people and 95 more were rescued in Karystos...

The rescue operations are only the beginning of a long and uncertain way, as no one can guarantee what is going to happen to the immigrants next. Often these people are victims of trafficking.

Even though our country is facing an economical and humanitarian crisis, is forced to deal with the immigration issue as well.

It’s time for measures to be taken against the slavers and for the support of the countries of the Southern Europe in order to deal with the migratory flows.